Daily Devotional: January 18, 2021

Dear Members and Friends of Media Presbyterian Church,

We hope you are doing well during this time. As we navigate this unique moment with quarantines, closures and irregular rhythms --- it is our calling to share the Love of Jesus Christ. With that intention, MPC continues to share some devotionals with you. These devotionals have been written by staff, members and friends of MPC. We pray that these devotionals will be a blessing to you, and remind us all of God's great love. Be well, we love you.

Today's devotional is from Ronald R. Reese.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

James 4:10

I marvel at people who memorize scripture and can recite chapter and verse at just the right moment.  How do they do that?  Pastor Jonathan has encouraged us to commit bible verses to memory.  Many faith leaders consider Scripture memorization as essential to the Christian life.  Dallas Willard has said that “Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation.”

Over the years I have tried to get in a routine of memorizing bible verses.  And I failed almost every time.  The message sinks in, the parable is understandable, and Jesus’ words are both challenging and lifesaving.  But ask me to recite the text word for word and I stumble.  Except for James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

For a reason that only God knows, this one passage “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” has been etched in my brain and glued to my heart for my entire adult life.  The verse has meant different things to me at different times, but it always serves as an anchor to my faith when life is going well, or I am confronting difficult circumstances.

If you are new to memorizing scripture, or just lousy at it like me, try starting with this passage: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  Maybe it will speak to you today, as it did for me many years ago.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

May God be praised.  Amen.

Ronald R. Reese

Continue to stay connected with us via email, website, and all our social media platforms! Keep posted to our digital outlets for updates and other creative worship initiatives.

Don't forget that you can still worship through giving by providing your offering online. Head to M ediaPresbyterian.org/GiveOnline and follow the prompts on that page. If you'd prefer to still give with cash or check, you can always use an envelope and drop your offering in the mailbox outside of Kesel House.